Hydrogen and renewable energy on Aboriginal land

South Australia’s renewable energy industry is expanding, with many developments proposed on native title land, waters and freehold Aboriginal land.

The Department for Energy and Mining is seeking input from PBCs and community members on the proposed development of a Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act to regulate largescale hydrogen and renewable energy projects on their land and waters.

Worldwide demand for clean, renewable energy, including energy from hydrogen, is increasing as countries work to decrease their carbon footprint by shifting from fossil fuels to power cities. Energy is considered renewable when it comes from a source that has an endless supply, such as wind or sun.

For Australia to achieve a net zero carbon emissions by 2050 by limiting the amount of coal and gas used to make electricity, renewable sources will need to be about 40 times more than what today’s national electricity market produces.

With our abundant wind, sun, land and infrastructure, SA is well positioned to develop a hydrogen and renewable energy industry.

The State’s first Renewable Energy Forum was held in November last year in Port Augusta and a paper was developed from that to outline discussions held, before a Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act Bill is drafted. A second, three-day Forum is planned early this year for PBCs to participate in detailed discussions on the draft Bill.

“The next wave of renewable energy transformation in South Australia will largely occur on land under Native Title and will impact on Aboriginal people’s interests, activities, and cultural and spiritual connections to their land,” the Department of Energy and Mining stated in their recent ‘Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act -Issues Paper’.

“Informed, early and ongoing participation of Aboriginal people is essential to achieving the development of a globally significant sustainable renewable energy and hydrogen sector in South Australia.”

The Department said that the South Australian Government intends to work in partnership with Native Title groups that are ready and willing to host hydrogen and renewable energy projects on their land, and will work with other Traditional Owners to respect their rights and interests. For further information and to provide your feedback, go to www.energymining.sa.gov.au/ industry/modern-energy/ hydrogen-in-south-australia